15 Ketchup Brands Ranked From Meh To Magnificent

Ketchup is a cultural icon. From backyard barbecues to late-night fries, it’s the red thread tying together countless meals. But not all ketchup is created equal. Some squeeze bottles deliver pure tomato bliss, while others leave you wondering if your taste buds took a wrong turn.

15. Hunt’s

Hits the tongue with a weirdly watery start, then clings like sticky sugar. The tomato flavor hides behind a wall of syrupy sweetness and artificial aftertaste.

It’s more like red sauce cosplay than real-deal ketchup—definitely meh.

14. Great Value

Surprisingly thick, but the flavor feels dull and tired, like it’s missing the party.

There’s sweetness, yes, but it leans clunky and flat with no real tang to back it up. A budget pick that tastes exactly like one.

13. Sir Kensington’s Classic Ketchup

Every spoonful feels like health food trying too hard to be fun.

It’s barely sweet, barely salty, and oddly earthy with a thin texture that vanishes fast.

Respect for the clean ingredients, but flavor-wise, it’s a total wallflower.

12. Annie’s Organic Ketchup

Comes on sweet and gentle, like a ketchup made for preschool lunches. There’s a mellow tomato flavor and a nice smoothness, but the tang is whisper-level.

It’s soft-spoken and a little too polite for my fries.

11. Trader Joe’s Organic Ketchup

Smooth texture, fresh flavor, and a grown-up level of sweet. There’s a lovely tang that lingers, and the tomato actually tastes like it came from a garden, not a lab.

TJ’s brings the charm without going too far off-kilter.

10. Whole Foods 365 Organic Ketchup

Clean and bright with a grown-up edge. The tomatoes taste real and slightly smoky, balanced by a low-key sweetness that doesn’t try to steal the spotlight.

It’s one of those “oh, this is better than I thought” moments.

9. Primal Kitchen Unsweetened Ketchup

No sugar here, and boy does it show. Tart, vinegary notes blast first, followed by a raw tomato bite that’s more salad dressing than ketchup.

It’s clean-eating approved, but doesn’t bring the comfort ketchup should.

8. Red Gold

Classic diner vibes, but missing a signature twist. It’s got decent tang and a slightly peppery kick, but the texture is thinner than I expected, almost runny.

Not bad—but not memorable either.

7. Market Pantry (Target Brand)

Middle-of-the-road in every way—texture, sweetness, tang, and thickness. There’s a slight metallic taste that gives away its store-brand roots, but it still gets the job done.

Think ketchup that just wants to blend in, not stand out.

6. Heinz Organic

Like the classic but with a cleaner conscience. It’s still that thick, familiar texture and perfect balance of sweet and tangy, just with better sourcing.

Tastes like ketchup you grew up with—just grown up a little, too.

5. Tessemae’s Organic Ketchup

Tessemae’s Organic Ketchup offers a unique flavor profile with a hint of spice.

It’s less sweet than traditional ketchups, making it stand out. The texture is slightly chunky, adding to its distinctiveness.

4. True Made Foods Veggie Ketchup

True Made Foods Veggie Ketchup is a vegetable-packed alternative. With a subtly sweet and savory flavor, it includes hidden veggies for added nutrition.

Ranking high on the list, it’s good for those seeking extra nutrition without sacrificing taste.

3. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup

Texas-sized flavor with a sweet-tangy combo that begs for burger duty. It’s bold, rich, and thicker than most—like ketchup with swagger.

There’s a reason fans hoard the packets.

2. Heinz Tomato Ketchup

Still the king. That perfect hit of sweet, salty, vinegary, and umami-rich tomato is hard to beat.

It’s the standard for a reason—no matter how many craft bottles hit the shelves.

1. Portland Ketchup Company

And the best one I tried is Portland Ketchup Company ketchup. It offers a touch of the Pacific Northwest.

It tops the list for its commitment to quality ingredients and a taste that captures the essence of Portland’s food culture.